WATCH Liverpool in the Carabao Cup LIVE on beIN SPORTS | Sign up to take advantage of our 7-day FREE TRIAL here | AU | NZ

Ekitike came on from the bench to replace Alexander Isak, who had opened his Liverpool account in the first half, during the Carabao Cup tie at Anfield, which the Reds won 2-1.

Shea Charles prodded in an equaliser for Southampton, but its hopes of a giant-killing were quashed when Federico Chiesa teed up Ekitike for a simple finish.

Ekitike held up his shirt to the crowd, replicating Lionel Messi's iconic celebration, yet with the Frenchman having already been booked for dissent, he was swiftly cautioned and sent off, meaning he will be suspended when Liverpool heads to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.

Slot was far from impressed.

"It was needless and stupid," Slot said. "The first [booking] was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions.

"I know how hard it is when you are a number nine when the defender can, to a certain extent, do anything he likes. It's always best to control your emotions. If you can't, do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card.

"I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner, I can maybe understand he is like: 'This is all about me, what did I do.' But I am old-fashioned, I'm 47.

"I never played at this level but I did score a few goals and if I scored a goal like this, I'd have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said: 'This goal is all about you, this is not about me.'

"Needless, not smart. I called it stupid right away."

Ekitike used social media to apologise for his dismissal.

"I was so excited to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first EFL Cup match," he wrote. "The emotion got the better of me. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my team-mates for this victory!"

Ekitike's suspension means British record signing Isak will likely start a Premier League game for the first time since he joined Liverpool from Newcastle United, though Slot has urged caution with the striker's fitness after he missed the majority of pre-season.